Tonight I had study. It was so much fun. I sat around as 7 friends learned about the amazing gift of Gr-ce. It was touching and though provoking. We were reading a section of the Book. We asked if anyone had a question. One guy asked what Gr-ce was. We easily translated it into Chinese. Then he asked what Jes-s means. This one had me thinking... Ok, now I know where this guy's level is at (it was his first time). I asked if any friends could explain who Jes-s was in Chinese. The new guy has very low English level. Of course, no one wanted to volunteer, so I had to call on someone. It was great to hear these friends explaining who he is and what he did. It was also pretty cool to understand a lot of it.
I ride my bike home with one of the friends. It's fun to chat with him on our 20 minute ride back. Today, I asked him about when he first started coming to study. Since I didn't know his history, but I know he is quite knowledgeable, I also asked him if he was washed. He said no. I asked, if he was interested in being washed. He said, "yes, I am interested, but no one has ever asked me before, so I haven't been able to learn more about it."
What!??? All we had to do was ask???? Well... I have a few more friends I think I should be asking. How silly we are. We often wait for them to come to us, but there are times when we just need to create an opportunity and ask them... who knows what they will say :o) So... G-d willing, another name will be written on the B-ptsm book in the coming weeks or months. :)
Showing posts with label washing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label washing. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
A quick update
I've been quite busy the past week. So here is a quick update on my time last week.
Friday:worked from 2-6, rode my bike to Chinese lesson from 6:30-7:45, rode my bike to a friends house to meet with another friend about washing!!! She gets a little side tracked, so even though we talked for about 2 hours, we only did about 1/2 of the study. We'll continue tomorrow.
Saturday I planned for kids' study and I marked my essays that I have from my History and Culture of the UK class. I have about 40 essays to mark, so it sure tries my patience. Afterwards, I headed out to kids study and then BBQ with a few friends.
Sunday I went to Titanic 3D! Actually, for a small part of the movie it was 4D. You see, Nicole, in all her smartness, decided to splash a little water on us during the movie so make it seem more life-like. However, I was 2 people away from her, so I just got one little drop. I was more confused than excited about the 4D effects. :) I still liked her effort.
Monday was relaxing, sort of, we had a huge thunder storm with winds and lightening and thunder of course. I made Rice Krispie treats!!! I've had marshmallows in my cupboard since I came in August and I haven't gotten around to making them, but finally, I did and I ate too many. I was loosing weight in China, but I think I've gained it all back in the past few weeks. Haven't had as much time to cook for myself.
Time for bed! Night!
Friday:worked from 2-6, rode my bike to Chinese lesson from 6:30-7:45, rode my bike to a friends house to meet with another friend about washing!!! She gets a little side tracked, so even though we talked for about 2 hours, we only did about 1/2 of the study. We'll continue tomorrow.
Saturday I planned for kids' study and I marked my essays that I have from my History and Culture of the UK class. I have about 40 essays to mark, so it sure tries my patience. Afterwards, I headed out to kids study and then BBQ with a few friends.
Sunday I went to Titanic 3D! Actually, for a small part of the movie it was 4D. You see, Nicole, in all her smartness, decided to splash a little water on us during the movie so make it seem more life-like. However, I was 2 people away from her, so I just got one little drop. I was more confused than excited about the 4D effects. :) I still liked her effort.
Monday was relaxing, sort of, we had a huge thunder storm with winds and lightening and thunder of course. I made Rice Krispie treats!!! I've had marshmallows in my cupboard since I came in August and I haven't gotten around to making them, but finally, I did and I ate too many. I was loosing weight in China, but I think I've gained it all back in the past few weeks. Haven't had as much time to cook for myself.
Time for bed! Night!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Lior
Meet my friend Lior. He started studying with us in November. He turned 21 last week Friday. However, it's now not only his birthday, it's also his b-ptism day! It was an awesome night! Afterwards, he told his story (he told it in Chinese, but I was able to read the English version). Jonathan also posted it on his blog, so I want give him the credit for the source. (I just taught my students about referencing and citing your sources) There were tears in the room as he was telling us about his journey to understand. G-d is good.
Please enjoy this statement of f-ith from your new brother in HIM:
Thanks, all of you guys, for being here for me on this very special day! It means a lot to me! Thank you so much, all my friends.
On this very day, my 21st birthday, I was b-ptized, the washing of rebirth and renewal by the HS, through which I'm marked as a saved child of HIM. So, now I want to say some things to thank HIM and to thank my friends.
Actually, it has not been a long time since I first heard about HIS words. I began to study the Book last year, mid November, at Jonathan's place. At that time I was totally an ath-ist; I didn't believe in His existence. I thought the Book was no more than a mythological book. It was like a fair tale for me. So, I started studying the Book thinking things like, "Hmm, maybe it would help with my English and help me understand more about the western culture. I can try, I mean, at least it would not hurt me." That may not sound like a good beginning. But, at least it started. Because of this, HIS words melted my heart!
I remember that, after the first study, Jonathan introduced his friend Jolie to me, who is now also a good friend of mine. She told me about her story: about how HE influences her, helps her, and has always been there for her. I was deeply touched, but still didn't really believe in HIS existence because I didn't feel Him. She encouraged me to keep studying, and I did. I kept going to study, twice a week, and going to chrch every Sunday. Through those means, and with the teaching of my Chr-stian friends, I learned a lot about Him and the Book. My f@ith got stronger every time I studied His words. So here I am, through b-ptism, a child of HIM. Through this s@crament, my sins are washed away. Through this means of grace, I received the s@lvation and eternal life that our merciful G-d offered me.
I'm not sure exactly when the HS opened my heart and came in. I'm not sure exactly when I started to believe there is a G-d who is so gracious that He sacrificed His one and only Son for all of us. Sinners. His enemies. I'm not sure when I started to turn to Him for help for all the anxieties and uncertainties that I had. In any case, now I feel relieved and happier because I know He already has His plan for all of us. There's nothing to worry about.
However, I AM sure that it was Him that gave me the words and strength to talk to my mom about my faith in Him, which was really hard. It was so difficult that at first my mom thought I would kill myself someday. There were many times that we both wanted to quit, but through His words, my mom began to understand and believe that He won't lead me a wrong way. I AM sure than it was him that gave me the strength to fight against the devil when I was in a very hard time, which wasn't a long time ago. I AM sure that He is so gracious and loving that He forgave all our sins by sending His Son to suffer for us so that we have eternal life.
Besides a merciful L-rd, I am also blessed with so many great friends. Thank you all for helping me walking in the Faith. I want to give my thanks especially to Jonathan, my best friend, for all those hard, sad, happy, and joyful moments. You were always there for me, helping me, encouraging me, accompanying me, comforting me, telling His words to me, and helping me walk with Him. What you have done means SO much to me!
At last, I hope the friends here who still don't believe in Him will not resist the HS, but believe that He is always there for you and believe that He loves you! You CAN feel His grace. And for those study buddies, I hope that you can all keep studying His words and let your faith be strengthened.
And there is one thing that all of us should do, tell everyone about His awesomeness and let more people feel His grace! He is the perfect G-d that gives us a peaceful room in He@ven.
Please enjoy this statement of f-ith from your new brother in HIM:
Thanks, all of you guys, for being here for me on this very special day! It means a lot to me! Thank you so much, all my friends.
On this very day, my 21st birthday, I was b-ptized, the washing of rebirth and renewal by the HS, through which I'm marked as a saved child of HIM. So, now I want to say some things to thank HIM and to thank my friends.
Actually, it has not been a long time since I first heard about HIS words. I began to study the Book last year, mid November, at Jonathan's place. At that time I was totally an ath-ist; I didn't believe in His existence. I thought the Book was no more than a mythological book. It was like a fair tale for me. So, I started studying the Book thinking things like, "Hmm, maybe it would help with my English and help me understand more about the western culture. I can try, I mean, at least it would not hurt me." That may not sound like a good beginning. But, at least it started. Because of this, HIS words melted my heart!
I remember that, after the first study, Jonathan introduced his friend Jolie to me, who is now also a good friend of mine. She told me about her story: about how HE influences her, helps her, and has always been there for her. I was deeply touched, but still didn't really believe in HIS existence because I didn't feel Him. She encouraged me to keep studying, and I did. I kept going to study, twice a week, and going to chrch every Sunday. Through those means, and with the teaching of my Chr-stian friends, I learned a lot about Him and the Book. My f@ith got stronger every time I studied His words. So here I am, through b-ptism, a child of HIM. Through this s@crament, my sins are washed away. Through this means of grace, I received the s@lvation and eternal life that our merciful G-d offered me.
I'm not sure exactly when the HS opened my heart and came in. I'm not sure exactly when I started to believe there is a G-d who is so gracious that He sacrificed His one and only Son for all of us. Sinners. His enemies. I'm not sure when I started to turn to Him for help for all the anxieties and uncertainties that I had. In any case, now I feel relieved and happier because I know He already has His plan for all of us. There's nothing to worry about.
However, I AM sure that it was Him that gave me the words and strength to talk to my mom about my faith in Him, which was really hard. It was so difficult that at first my mom thought I would kill myself someday. There were many times that we both wanted to quit, but through His words, my mom began to understand and believe that He won't lead me a wrong way. I AM sure than it was him that gave me the strength to fight against the devil when I was in a very hard time, which wasn't a long time ago. I AM sure that He is so gracious and loving that He forgave all our sins by sending His Son to suffer for us so that we have eternal life.
Besides a merciful L-rd, I am also blessed with so many great friends. Thank you all for helping me walking in the Faith. I want to give my thanks especially to Jonathan, my best friend, for all those hard, sad, happy, and joyful moments. You were always there for me, helping me, encouraging me, accompanying me, comforting me, telling His words to me, and helping me walk with Him. What you have done means SO much to me!
At last, I hope the friends here who still don't believe in Him will not resist the HS, but believe that He is always there for you and believe that He loves you! You CAN feel His grace. And for those study buddies, I hope that you can all keep studying His words and let your faith be strengthened.
And there is one thing that all of us should do, tell everyone about His awesomeness and let more people feel His grace! He is the perfect G-d that gives us a peaceful room in He@ven.
 |
| Lior is on the right. This is before the s@crament for safety reasons I didn't put the actual picture online. Also, it's poor quality because I only had my iPod with me at the time. Jonathan (middle) read it in English while Tony (left) translated. |
Monday, October 31, 2011
A Happy Day
Last Friday was a great day. Not because the weather was nice or my class behaved. Not because I found 100rmb ($15) in my pocket or because my favorite food was on sale. Although all of those things can make my day great, it's not the same as seeing the belief of a friend grow stronger. In this case, it was two friends.
We had a washing on Friday! We rejoiced here and others rejoiced up there. Linda and Adam were washed clean on Friday. They are my brother and sister in Him. After the washing, the both shared with us a little about their history of learning about Him. Here is a summary of one story from Linda. I copied it directly from Darin's blog, he wrote it so well, I thought it would be best to share it with all of you.
When she was around the age of 1 she was sick. Her parents took her to the hospital to get the right help for her. They left the hospital thinking that everything was alright having just visited to get the proper treatment for her. When she got home Linda was crying, but there was no sound. Her great-grandmother insisted they go back to the hospital, even though they had just come from there. After some more urging they went back. The doctor treated her quickly and gave her the necessary medicine/treatment to save her life. If she had come 10 minutes later, Linda would not have made it. Her great-grandmother was a member of the Good Shepherd's flock. Linda's great-grandmother was the first member of His flock that she knew. The relationship between Linda and her great-grandmother was very special to her. The father knew that Linda would someday become part of His flock too. You may never know how He will use you for eternal purposes. Continue to be a light to those around you. Shine brightly in this world that needs to hear the good news.[if you want to read more of Darin's blog you can visit it at http://traveldarin.blogspot.com/]
We had a washing on Friday! We rejoiced here and others rejoiced up there. Linda and Adam were washed clean on Friday. They are my brother and sister in Him. After the washing, the both shared with us a little about their history of learning about Him. Here is a summary of one story from Linda. I copied it directly from Darin's blog, he wrote it so well, I thought it would be best to share it with all of you.
When she was around the age of 1 she was sick. Her parents took her to the hospital to get the right help for her. They left the hospital thinking that everything was alright having just visited to get the proper treatment for her. When she got home Linda was crying, but there was no sound. Her great-grandmother insisted they go back to the hospital, even though they had just come from there. After some more urging they went back. The doctor treated her quickly and gave her the necessary medicine/treatment to save her life. If she had come 10 minutes later, Linda would not have made it. Her great-grandmother was a member of the Good Shepherd's flock. Linda's great-grandmother was the first member of His flock that she knew. The relationship between Linda and her great-grandmother was very special to her. The father knew that Linda would someday become part of His flock too. You may never know how He will use you for eternal purposes. Continue to be a light to those around you. Shine brightly in this world that needs to hear the good news.[if you want to read more of Darin's blog you can visit it at http://traveldarin.blogspot.com/]
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